PASSAGES MALIBUhttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com
ADDICTION ENDS HERE.Fri, 09 Dec 2016 05:28:11 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://secure.gravatar.com/blavatar/f2b192b1efaf2c6aa04d3fa893bc75f2?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngPASSAGES MALIBUhttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com
War on drugs achieved little – 60 Minuteshttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2016/06/08/war-on-drugs-achieved-little-60-minutes/
Wed, 08 Jun 2016 22:55:33 +0000http://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/?p=148427Continue reading War on drugs achieved little – 60 Minutes→]]>In its documentary “A new Direction on Drugs”, 60 minutes concluded that the US has “little show” for the 40-year, multi-trillion dollar war on drugs. That is, unless you count overflowing prisons and massive expenditure. And to crown it all, heroin addiction in the US is at a new high, war or no war.

The president’s director of the National Drug Control Policy, Michael Botticelli says that past efforts have consisted of failed policies and practices. The time for “blunt force” is over, he says, pointing the facts. 21 million Americans suffer from addictions and around 50% of federal prison inmates are doing time for drug-related crimes.

Inhumane and ineffective policies must go – Botticelli

Addiction, says Botticelli is an illness rather than some kind of moral issue that people should be incarcerated for. He compares the policy of incarcerating addicts to telling cancer sufferers to stop having cancer.

Although his ideas are revolutionary, they are not unproven. When he was Director of Substance Abuse Services in Massachusetts, he introduced hitherto unheard-of strategies, such as an entire school for teens recovering from addiction, and allowing addicts to choose rehabilitation over a jail sentence.

Treating addicts as patients rather than criminals will, says Botticelli reduce rather than increase the incidence of non-drug related crime. He knows that many will find his approach disturbing, and that it will raise fears, but says it’s the scientific way to deal with addiction.

Tighter border controls won’t solve the problem

Referring to the political hot potato of tighter border controls, Botticelli says it won’t make a difference. The ‘solution’ is too simplistic and overlooks the fact that the current heroin crisis began on US soil. It even began in doctor’s consulting rooms and pharmacies. Owing to excessive reliance on opioid based pain killers in the medical context, many people became opioid addicts, ultimately turning to heroin.

Born an addict

While filming the documentary, the 60 Minutes team visited a facility in which new-borns are gradually weaned of opioids – substances they became addicted to not only because of their mothers’ heroin use, but also the use of prescription pain killers.

If these children were to be left untreated, they may die as withdrawal sets in. One severe seizure could kill, so it’s vital to ensure that these addicted babies are allowed a gentler withdrawal. All the same, it’s not what most people would see as a pleasant start to life. Discomfort is inevitable for these infants.

How do painkillers lead to heroin?

Painkiller addicts find that they need more and more of the drugs just to remain pain-free. Initially, they may ‘shop around’ for doctors who are willing to prescribe the medications, but ultimately the habit becomes too expensive to support.

Heroin is cheaper and widely available. As the addiction worsens, and doctors become warier of prescribing opioids, getting pain killers becomes more difficult, and even if the patient is able to find access, the cost is very high. Heroin provides a sometimes fatal solution.

Every day, 120 Americans die of drug overdoses – that’s more fatalities than road accidents cause. To help reduce fatalities, Botticelli tried an ‘experiment’ in Quincy. Police officers were equipped with a nasal spray that can be used as an antidote for overdose victims. Local police say they believe they have already saved lives as a result.

What about marijuana?

Botticelli is worried that marijuana is becoming a playground for unscrupulous marketers appealing to a young market who now believes that the drug is harmless. As with big tobacco and it’s 1990’s flavoured products that clearly targeted a young market, Botticelli fears that sweet edibles and cute mascots are being used to win over the youth.

What should people who are suffering from addiction do?

Botticelli has personal experience of addiction. He is a recovered alcoholic who has been free of alcohol addiction for more than two and a half decades. But first he had to acknowledge the problem and seek help.

For him, a 12-step program was the solution. Basement meetings in a local church gave him the opportunity to speak about his alcohol issues, and he says the support was amazing. 12 step programs may not be right for everyone, but there are many therapies that can aid recovery. True professionals understand that being an addict doesn’t mean a person is “weak-willed” or “bad”, but the results of addiction can be very bad indeed – even fatal.

That’s the message he wants to bring across. “Help is at hand”. He encourages addicts to reach out by talking to their doctors. Botticelli says that if he can bring people to understand that life outside addiction really offers the promise of and “incredible life”, he has already achieved what he set out to do.

Treatment, he says, is available. Overcoming addiction is possible, but getting help is the essential first step to take.

]]>war on drugpassagesmalibucaPassages Malibu’s Social Media Sites to Followhttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2014/02/14/passages-malibus-new-social-media-sites-and-accounts/
Fri, 14 Feb 2014 23:38:35 +0000http://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/?p=378Continue reading Passages Malibu’s Social Media Sites to Follow→]]>Passages Addiction Treatment Center hosts a handful of digital platforms including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, and even our own blog site that you can begin following today.

Our holistic non-12 Step treatment center focuses on curing the underlying causes of substance dependence and abuse. Passages has revolutionized the way that addiction treatment is approached. While we are most popular for our Malibu coastal location and luxury amenities, it’s actually the generous amount of one-on-one therapy that distinguishes our commitment to service.
For all the latest updates on Passages’ news and social media channel please visit.

If you or a loved one is interested in additional information about Passages, please reach out to us at (888) 397-0112. Our experienced admissions counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Passages Malibu first opened its doors in 2001 by father and son team Chris & Pax Prentiss. Chris successfully helped Pax overcome ten years of addiction, and started a new paradigm in substance recovery. Pax’s personal journey beating heroin and cocaine addiction solidified the foundation for Passages to blaze a new trail which has since become the standard for treatment of alcohol and drug dependency. Pax’s journey and subsequent recovery is told in the book The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure, currently in print with over 300,000 copies in circulation.

Passages Malibu provides the most one-on-one therapy for their clientele, rather than the group meetings commonly associated with 12 Step recovery programs. These personally crafted sessions focus on determining the underlying causes of dependency on drugs and alcohol. At Passages, an attending physician and skilled team of licensed therapists develop a treatment program for each individual in a naturally serene and beautiful setting. In 2009, a sister facility, Passages Ventura opened, offering more modestly price addiction treatment while maintaining the Passages standard of high quality clinical outcomes.
Being in a serene, beautiful, peaceful environment, where your dignity is maintained and where you feel peaceful and content is very important in the healing process.

The main Passages facility is 15,500 square feet of luxury with four fireplaces we usually keep burning, a library, gourmet kitchen, bedrooms that each have their own bath, a gym, and plenty of extra space to find a quiet spot. The grounds are superbly landscaped on a beautiful bluff overlooking the serene Pacific Ocean. The north/south tennis court is first class. Our clients attest to the healing quality they feel at Passages. Additionally, due to the tremendous success of the Passages Model, we have expanded the facilities across several acres of picturesque Malibu land that overlooks the entire bay.

]]>passagesmalibu2passagesmalibucaThe Benefit of Positive Influenceshttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/the-clear-benefit-of-positive-influences/
Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:38:05 +0000http://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/the-clear-benefit-of-positive-influences/Continue reading The Benefit of Positive Influences→]]>There is a distinct line drawn between positive influences and negative influences as far as substance abuse is concerned. Even further, positive influence has very clear benefits over negative influence. This is because whether in pre-recovery, recovery, or post-recovery, these influences in subtle ways effect the behavior, attitudes, and perceptions of the user/former user.

Preference toward the Positive

We can say there is a good reason to prefer positive influence over negative influence because of both our intuitions and observations. Obviously more often than not people will prefer positive lifestyles, approaches, and outcomes to negative ones. Surrounding oneself with positivity and success is conductive to achieving this preference.

Additionally, we can observe the relative success rates of people who follow a positive path rather than a negative one, and witness proactive change more consistently among those who choose a proactive lifestyle and adopt positive beliefs about their chances to succeed. This is complemented by the fact that the influence of others in addition to lifestyle change is the best way to attain a lasting sobriety, rather than admitting defeat or a defeatist attitude.

]]>passagesmalibucaWhy Some People Abuse Substanceshttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/why-some-people-might-abuse-substances/
Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:58:08 +0000http://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/09/27/why-some-people-might-abuse-substances/Continue reading Why Some People Abuse Substances→]]>People influence and are influenced by other people. Because of this influence, it is reasonable to say that people can influence others to use illicit substances. Although that is seemingly an obvious point, there is a deeper meaning to why this influence takes place.

Preserving “Harmonious” Relationships

Since people influence and are influenced by others, the influence can change the capacity of people to exercise their self-control in order to preserve their relationships with others. So when someone is surrounded by others who don’t exercise self-control they become more likely not to exercise their own self-control to “fit in”. The need to be included is very strong and may limit a person’s ability to exercise self-control.

Furthermore, to preserve harmonious relationships, people who might be predisposed to not engaging in self-control behaviors would be more likely to do so if they are surrounded by people who do successfully manage their self-control. This is important because it implies that people who have a difficult time managing their substance addiction may find it much easier to do so when they are surrounded by people who don’t relapse, as opposed to people who do relapse.

Fueled by a release of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine, ecstasy users experience a rush of energy and happiness, leading to feelings of hyperactivity and emotional connectedness.

However, due to the rapid release of serotonin, ecstasy users experience the depletion of this vital neurotransmitter in the days following an ecstasy trip, leading to depression, anxiety and lethargy. One of the most serious risks of ecstasy addiction is dehydration, leading to intense fevers, overheating and possibly death.

With continual use, ecstasy users can also experience other side effects, such as tooth and gum disease, bruxism (teeth grinding), jaw clenching and high blood pressure, as well as transmission of sexually transmitted diseases from lowered inhibition during intoxication. Chronic ecstasy use can also lead to severe depression, anxiety, lethargy, memory loss and cognitive disturbances. At Passages, we treat ecstasy addiction and provide a medically supervised full detox.

]]>passagesmalibucaCrack Cocaine Addictionhttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/crack-cocaine-addiction/
Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:02:41 +0000http://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/crack-cocaine-addiction/Continue reading Crack Cocaine Addiction→]]>Crack is a smokeable form of cocaine that is manufactured by mixing cocaine with baking soda and water through a heat-intensive process. The resulting “rock” state of cocaine (known as base-cocaine) forms as the water evaporates from the mixture, creating the crackling sound that gives crack its name. As a result, crack cocaine will vaporize at low temperatures, making it easier to inhale for a fast-acting high. However, crack cocaine is by nature impure, generally including less than 40 percent cocaine, depending on the degree to which it is “cut” with additives.

On a physical level, crack cocaine becomes addictive largely because of the effects it creates in brain chemistry. Crack sharply increases the levels of dopamine in the user’s brain, resulting in intensified feelings of excitement and euphoria. While this creates a sense of disoriented pleasure while the crack high lasts, dopamine levels become depleted after use.

Additionally, continued crack cocaine use can cause the brain to lower dopamine levels over the long run, sensing excess dopamine present. When users attempt to cease crack cocaine use, they experience this cocaine-initiated chemical imbalance, causing depression, withdrawal symptoms and anxiety. If you or someone you know is addicted to crack cocaine, Passages can help.

]]>passagesmalibucaWhy Group-Based Treatment is Ineffective at Drug Rehab Centershttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/why-primarily-group-based-treatment-is-ineffective-at-drug-rehab-centers/
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 18:56:16 +0000http://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/why-primarily-group-based-treatment-is-ineffective-at-drug-rehab-centers/Continue reading Why Group-Based Treatment is Ineffective at Drug Rehab Centers→]]>The vast majority of drug rehabilitation centers revolve around a group-oriented approach to treatment. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol withdrawal and recovery requires a deep, focused and attentive process that cannot be achieved in a group setting. Only in the safety and confidentiality of committed therapy can true healing from the psychological and emotional roots of substance addiction begin.

Group therapy programs at rehab clinics have become notoriously overpopulated and understaffed, short-changing addicted individuals from receiving the depth of healing they deserve for recovery. In the long run, the lack of individualized care and targeted therapy applied at many rehabilitation centers may cut costs for facilities, but proves incredibly costly to the addicted individual. These lapses in care lead to chronic relapse, mental breakdowns, and physical complications as drug use endures. While short-term rehabilitation may be achieved, long-term group treatment programs experience roughly the same success rates as placebo therapies in treating addiction. At Passages, the majority of our treatment program is comprised of one-on-one, customized therapy.

]]>passagesmalibucaHolistic Treatment for Addictionhttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/holistic-treatment-for-addiction/
Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:42:36 +0000http://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/holistic-treatment-for-addiction/Continue reading Holistic Treatment for Addiction→]]>Drug addiction is an extremely complex problem that does not adhere to a one size fits all approach, and many treatment centers are realizing this fact and altering their programs. For many years, the 12-step treatment center was considered the only option when it came to drug rehab. In more recent years, the holistic model of treatment has emerged and has changed what people look for in an effective drug treatment center.

Essentially, holistic treatment centers use a variety of different modalities such as one-on-one therapy, marriage and family therapy, hypnosis, acupuncture, physical training, and a healthy diet plan.There are many benefits of a non 12-step model versus a 12-step drug rehab center, both in terms of what the center provides and what clients should expect. 12-step centers still use the outdated model that addiction is an incurable disease, and that the addiction itself is your primary problem that you will always have and just need to manage. As a result, these centers offer mostly group therapy and no therapy geared towards individual problems.

At holistic treatment centers, caring professionals realize that every person is dealing with different underlying issues and life circumstances, and that private attention and individually tailored therapy is really the key to getting sober. Passages Malibu is a holistic, non 12-step treatment centers with years of experience in treating addiction.

]]>passagesmalibucaVolunteer Work in Drug Treatmenthttps://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/volunteer-work-in-drug-treatment/
Wed, 13 Jul 2011 21:19:44 +0000http://passagesmalibuca.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/volunteer-work-in-drug-treatment/Continue reading Volunteer Work in Drug Treatment→]]>There are several things beyond just group meetings and psychotherapy that are effective at helping with addictions within drug or alcohol treatment programs. Many treatment centers are incorporating various forms of volunteer work and community services programs into their treatment plans. These activities allow individuals in treatment to interact with one another and get them involved in the community.

According to a new study, volunteer work and community service may also help support relapse prevention efforts. Volunteer work and community service helps substance abusers focus on something outside of them and put their energy towards a greater good. In a recent study, researchers found that 40 percent of alcoholics who provided emotional support to individuals with a similar addiction stayed sober for a longer period of time than those who did not. Many experts in the addiction field now believe that helping others should be a regular component of relapse prevention programs, and that this strategy may help more recovering alcoholics and drug users learn to remain substance-free. At Passages Malibu, we allow our clients to do volunteer work as a part of their individualized treatment program.